Day 29, Read Matthew 2:1-12

There’s a lot of myth around this story.  They are not likely kings but magi, wise men.  They are not likely from Arabia but Persia or Babylon.  We don’t know their names (Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar), nor how many there were, only that they brought three gifts.  We don’t know Jesus’ age at the time of their visit.  Herod massacred the infants under two years old but two years was the time when the magi had first seen the star, not necessarily the time since He was born.  Mary and Josephs still being in Bethlehem suggests a shorter time.

We would consider these men scientists.  They studied the stars, and like scientists of the day, believed that certain arrangements in the heavens carried certain meanings.  Some think that God used the arrangements to speak to them in a language they understood.  Scripture is not specific, only that there was an exceptional display in the heavens that caused these men to come to Palestine.

The cruelty of Herod the Great in this story (often called the murder of the innocents) fits what we know of the man.  It is recorded that when he had two of his sons put to death he also killed 300 soldiers who stood up for them.  Led by the Spirit, Matthew notes a connection with the Old Testament reference to Rachel weeping (v18).  Of course Rachel, a wife of Jacob, died at Bethlehem.

Further, we know that this is the “epiphany” (first recorded appearance) of Christ to the Gentiles.  Even in Old Testament times, when God’s dealings were through one nation Israel, He still had a love for those who were not of Israel.  In this account are brought together several aspects of the gospel story.  We have seen that godly people such as Zacharias, Simeon and Anna were among those who had “Messianic expectations.”  But in this story we see that the Jewish scholars, who advised Herod, also had a clear understanding of Messianic prophecy.  When Herod asked the question, the answer was readily given, that Messiah must be born in Bethlehem (from Micah 5:2).

Many have noted the significance of the gifts that were brought.  The gold was fit for a King; the frankincense a reminder of the Intercessor; and the myrrh, a special spice used in burial, a reminder that Jesus was born to die.  Whether these astral scholars understood it all, their worship was powerful.

The wise men, for whatever truth they saw in the star, were drawn to the Messiah.  They worshipped Him.  And then they trusted God’s guidance as to their return trip home.  The religious leaders of the day had the benefit of the inspired Word, yet they rejected the Messiah.  Perhaps this story tells us that God will meet us where we are, and if we are willing He will bring us to His Salvation.  We see that God welcomes the scholar who comes to and bows to Christ.  Perhaps it issues a warning, as well, that if we know the word of God we must be willing to hear and fear.  Bring your gifts, abilities, strengths and intelligence to Christ.  Present them to Him in worship!